Method and apparatus for bar code data interchange

ABSTRACT

A new method and system for bar code data interchange includes a bar code scanner, such as a high scan rate LED scanner, and reads bar coded information from a video display. This bar coded information is scanned from the video display into a host device. The bar coded information may be sent to a user in a variety of ways, including over the Internet, any intranet, or any type of telephony network. The bar coded information may be viewed by the user on the video display as part of an e-mail message, as displayed on a web-page, or as displayed on television programming. The scanned bar coded information is decoded and may then be used. A first software program may have been used to create the bar coded information, and a second and distinct software application may be used with the now decoded bar coded information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplications, Serial No. 60/174,220 filed Jan. 3, 2000, No. 60/213,843filed Jun. 23,2000, and No. 60/232,825 filed Sep. 15, 2000, all of whichare entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BAR CODE DATA INTERCHANGE and allof which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to bar code technology, and moreparticularly to a method and apparatus for capturing bar codeinformation from a variety of video displays as well as other media, andusing this bar code information in a variety of applications.

[0004] 2. Problems in the Art

[0005] The use of bar code technology has proliferated as a means forefficient data collection. Generally, bar code technology allows fornumbers, characters, or other symbols to be coded into a series ofone-dimensional (1D) or two-dimensional (2D) spaced bars, as those termsare commonly known in the art. These bars are currently printed on thesurface of particular objects. A good description of various bar codesymbologies can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,059 to Ackley, hereinincorporated by reference. Currently a bar code scanner is used tocapture the pattern on the object, associated software decodes the barcode pattern, and the information from the decoded bar code pattern maybe used as data and acted upon accordingly. One current method ofreading bar codes is given in U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,252 to Maltsev, and isherein incorporated by reference.

[0006] However, there are currently no known easy means for capturingbar code patterns from a wide variety of video displays. Current methodsfor capturing bar code data from a composite video signal requiresspecialized and sophisticated camera and computer equipment. The use ofsuch specialized and sophisticated camera and computer equipment is bothcumbersome and expensive. It is therefore desirable to provide a meansfor capturing bar code patterns from a wide variety of video displayswhich is easy to use and relatively inexpensive.

[0007] Current bar code scanners have been incorporated into a widevariety of devices. Bar code scanners can now be found incorporated intoother devices, such as a computer mouse or a personal digital assistant.However, none of these current devices are capable of reading bar codesfrom a video display. It is therefore desirable to provide a variety ofdevices with a bar code scanner capable of reading bar codes from avideo display.

[0008] Currently, there are several problems associated with reading anddecoding video displayed bar codes. First, a video displayed bar code tothe human eye appears to be static. In reality, the video displayed barcode is flickering on and off many times per second. Second, a typicalbar code reader has a low scan rate of 30 to 100 scans per second, whichis not synchronized with the flickering video displayed bar code. Third,each type of video display has its own flicker, or refresh rate.Computer cathode ray tubes (CRT) commonly refresh from 72 Hz to 85 Hz.Computer liquid crystal displays (LCD) commonly refresh at 60 Hz. Aroundthe world there are different standards for television CRTs whichcommonly refresh at 50 Hz to 60 Hz. It would be expensive to create adevice to synchronize the flicker, or refresh, rates of multiple typesof video displays with the scan rates of bar code readers.

[0009] Most current bar code scanners simply do not scan fast enough toensure that a pixilated bar code image can be captured from a widevariety of video displays currently in use. It is therefore desirable tohave a bar code scanner which is capable of capturing a pixilated barcode image from a wide variety of video displays.

[0010] The limiting nature of current bar code scanners also makes itdifficult to interchange data across different computer operatingsystems and/or computer software applications. Currently, sophisticatedcomputer software such as IBM DBT, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, orother programs, commonly referred to as middleware, are required incomputer to computer data interchange applications. This middleware isexpensive and requires a trained computer programmer to establish andmaintain the data transfer links. Furthermore, middleware is notflexible. As business trading partners and suppliers change, and/or theformat of data storage is modified in a host computer, the service of atrained computer programmer are required to maintain the datainterchange capabilities. It is therefore desirable to minimize theamount of middleware software required.

[0011] Bar codes are currently one type of middleware. Currenttechnology allows off screen media or printed bar codes to be used as“switches” to launch Internet web pages, complete complex machineryinitialization and setup, dial a telephone number, etc. As the worldmoves toward a paperless society, it is desirable to provide a methodfor reading bar code switches which may be viewed on a video display.

[0012] There is therefore an unfilled need for a method and apparatuswhich solves these and other problems. This invention has as its primaryobjective fulfillment of this need.

FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The general feature of the present invention is the provision ofa method and apparatus for bar code data interchange which overcomes theproblems found in the prior art.

[0014] A further feature of the present invention is the provision of animproved method and apparatus for bar code data interchange which iscapable of reading video displayed bar code information.

[0015] A further feature of the present invention is the provision of amethod and apparatus for bar code data interchange capable of readingvideo displayed standardized bar code symbology.

[0016] Another feature of the present invention is the provision of animproved method and apparatus for bar code data interchange which iscapable of reading video displayed proprietary bar code symbologies.

[0017] A still further feature of the present invention is the provisionof a method and apparatus for bar code data interchange that includes ahigh scan rate LED reader as a stand alone device.

[0018] A further feature of the present invention is the provision of amethod and apparatus for bar code data interchange that includes a highscan rate LED reader which is incorporated into a wide variety ofdevices.

[0019] A still further feature of the present invention is the provisionof a method of bar code data interchange which minimizes the need formiddleware.

[0020] Another feature of the present invention is the provision amethod of bar code data interchange which allows for data to beexchanged between computers using different operating systems.

[0021] A further feature of the present invention is the provision of amethod of bar code data interchange in which data may be exchangedbetween different computer software applications.

[0022] A further feature of the present invention is the provision of amethod for bar code data interchange in which bar codes may be used as a“switch” to activate devices or links to other electronic documents suchas, but not limited to, e-mail, Internet web pages, word processordocuments, spreadsheets, databases, drawings, graphics, etc.

[0023] Another feature of the present invention is a method of bar codedata interchange in which computer software is used to create bar codeswithin a video displayed document.

[0024] Another feature of the present invention is the provision of amethod and apparatus for bar code data interchange which allowsbusiness-consumer transactions via video displayed bar codes.

[0025] Another feature of the present invention is the provision of amethod and apparatus for bar code data interchange which allowsbusiness-business transactions via video displayed bar codes.

[0026] These, as well as other features and advantages of the presentinvention, will become apparent from the following specification andclaims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus forbar code data interchange. This apparatus is generally comprised of abar code reader which is capable of scanning bar codes displayed on avariety of video displays, a decoder which transforms the scanned barcode into data which may then be manipulated in a variety of ways by ahost device, such as a computer, personal digital assistant (PDA) or anyother device in which bar code data input may be desirable.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, a consumer will scan in bar codeinformation from a video display, such as a television screen, throughthe use of a high scan rate LED scanner and obtain information on adesired product, a link to the product's web site, or other usefulinformation. Businesses too, will scan in bar code information directlyfrom video displays into their desired host device. This scannedinformation is not formatted specifically for any business software andtherefore is easily transferable between businesses which may usedifferent software applications to manipulate the same data to suittheir needs. This minimizes the need for many of the conversion programsor interpretation programs, commonly known as middleware, and providesdata interchange across a wide variety of settings for a myriad ofpurposes.

[0029] A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus for barcode data interchange will be afforded to those skilled in the art, aswell as a realization of the additional features and advantages thereof,by a consideration of the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the appended sheets ofdrawings which will first be described briefly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030]FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a stand alone bar code reader.

[0031]FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting an integrated bar code reader.

[0032]FIG. 3 represents an example of a bar coded document on a videodisplay in a universal data interchange application.

[0033]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing video displayed bar codessynchronized with public radio and TV broadcasts.

[0034]FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the equipment used anddata flow in a universal data interchange application of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035]FIG. 1 is a block diagram that depicts the general configurationof one embodiment of the present invention. A general operating diagramof a typical stand alone bar code reader 108 which is capable of readingbar code information from a video display screen is shown. This type ofbar code reader may be referred to as a video displayed bar code reader.Preferably the bar code reader 108 is a stand alone, high scan rate LEDbar code reader 108. Preferably it is also hand manipulatable. This typeof bar code reader 108 has two basic components, a high scan rate LEDscanner 102 and decoder 103. The high scan rate LED scanner 102 capturesvideo displayed 100 and/or off screen media (printed) 101 bar codeddata. These video displayed bar codes 100 and/or off screen media barcodes 101 may be either standardized or proprietary bar code formats.Common standardized 1D and 2D bar code formats include Code 39, Code128, Interleaved 2 of 5, PDF 417, etc.

[0036] The present invention captures video displayed bar codes 100 fromsources such as, but not limited to, a digital TV screen, a CRT computermonitor, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a CRT TV screen, or off screenmedia bar codes 101.

[0037] High scan rate LED scanner 102 supplies output to decoder 103.The decoder 103 transforms the scanned bar code into useable electronicdata as is commonly known in the art. The output of decoder 103 issupplied to another device, such as a computer for further processingvia output 104. Output 104 may be transmitted to a universal serial bus(USB) connection, PCMCIA card connection, radio interface, or aninfrared interface, etc.

[0038] Using a high scan rate LED bar code reader 108 allows a widevariety of video displayed bar codes to be read and decoded byincreasing the number of bar code scans per second. A high scan rate LEDbar code reader 108 can be a stand alone device as described in FIG. 1,or integrated into another device 200 as described in FIG. 2.

[0039]FIG. 2 is a block diagram that depicts a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention which integrates a high scan rate LED bar codescanner 102 into device 200 using microprocessor 201 and random accessmemory (RAM) 202.

[0040] It will be readily understood by one skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be integrated into a device 200, such as a cellphone, a land line phone, PDA, computer mouse, GPS receiver, pager, atwo-way communication device, a personal bar code reader known as a fob,etc.

[0041] A high scan rate LED bar code scanner 102 captures videodisplayed bar codes 100 and/or off screen media bar codes 101. Thesevideo displayed bar codes 100 and/or off screen media bar codes 101 maybe either standardized or proprietary bar code formats. Commonstandardized 1D and 2D bar code formats include Code 39, Code 128,Interleaved 2 of 5, PDF 417, etc.

[0042] The preferred embodiment of the present invention captures anddecodes video displayed bar codes 100 from sources such as, but notlimited to, a digital TV screen, a CRT computer monitor, a liquidcrystal display (LCD), a CRT TV screen, or off screen media bar codes101.

[0043] The high scan rate LED bar code scanner 102 transmits signals tomicroprocessor 201. Microprocessor 201 in conjunction with random accessmemory (RAM) 202 can perform computing functions of device 200, and alsotransforms these signals into data. This data may be used for display bydevice 200, or may be transmitted to I/O port 203 to interface withanother device such as a PC, PDA, GPS receiver, pager, a two-waycommunication device, a personal bar code reader known as a fob, etc.I/O port 203 may be a RS-232, PCMCIA slot, USB, infrared, proprietary,etc.

[0044] These video displayed bar codes 100 and/or off screen media barcodes 101 can also be used as switches to launch Internet web pages,dial a telephone number, complete complex machinery initialization andset-up, etc.

[0045] As an example, Motorola, Inc., Symbol Technologies, Inc., ConnectThings, Inc. an affiliate of LM Ericsson AB, and AirClic, Inc. havecreated a unique registry of web codes, which are bar codes containinginstructions for executing exact tasks. This enables wireless phones,cable TV set-top terminals, and other Internet-enabled appliances toaccess the Internet via current bar code scanning technology.

[0046] Bar codes, and web codes are printed on products, in publicationsincluding newspapers, brochures, and company advertisements, etc. Byscanning a web code with a bar code-enabled Internet device, people willbe connected directly to websites to order products, find information,and manage everyday tasks and transactions. As people scan web codeswith these new Internet devices information will be sent instantly to aweb code registry, which interprets the nature of the inquiry anddelivers corresponding information to users. The information willinclude product-ordering links, promotional offers, downloads for music,product usage and service data, as well as links to other applicableInternet sites. Users will get transparent, universal access to productsand services. The system supports “Internet-enhanced” standard UPC andEAN bar codes already positioned on millions of products worldwide.

[0047] The ability to display and read video displayed bar codes 100,which can be web codes, will greatly enhance the dynamic capabilities ofthe previously described system.

[0048]FIG. 3 represents an electronic bar coded document on a computerwindow video display ready for data capture and interchange to an activecomputer window on the same computer screen.

[0049] Element 300 is a personal computer monitor. A personal computermonitor is shown, but this video display may be a laptop LCD screen, apersonal digital assistant LCD screen, etc. Element 301 is an openwindow on personal computer monitor 300 displaying an electronic barcoded document. Element 307 is an active window on personal computermonitor 300 representing a software application in use on a businessinformation system.

[0050] Element 302 is human readable information, such as “Qty” (theword “Quantity” abbreviated) shown. Element 303 is human readableinformation, the number “12”. Element 304 is video displayed bar codedinformation representing the number “12”.

[0051] Element 304 is captured and decoded from the computer monitor 300using a high scan rate LED bar code reader 108 (shown in FIG. 1). Thiscaptured information is then output from the bar code reader 108 andinput into the user's computer (not shown). The user's computer softwareaccepts this input through a variety of commonly available softwareapplications and the input is entered as the number “12” into element306 which is a highlighted field in a business system informationsoftware application.

[0052] To illustrate one method of the bar code data interchangeapplication of the present invention, Company A uses software such asMICROSOFT EXCEL on their PC to create an electronic document (i.e. aPurchase Order). This software creates documents that contain electronicrepresentations of bar coded information through the use of bar codefonts which reside on the local computer and are commonly availabletoday. The electronic Purchase Order is e-mailed to Company B, usingMICROSOFT OUTLOOK software, as an example, in Standard Mail TransferProtocol (SMTP) format across any variety of networks, such as theinternet or an intranet. Optionally, the electronic bar coded documentcould reside on an Internet web page on a web server.

[0053] Company B opens their e-mail, which is in SMTP format usingNETSCAPE MAIL software, as an example, to receive Company A's PurchaseOrder. Company B wishes to enter information from Company A's electronicPurchase Order into their own business information system. Company Bwill capture the video displayed bar codes directly from the e-maildisplayed on their PC screen with a high scan rate, LED bar code reader,then exchanges that data into their own business system, using CORELPARADOX software, running in MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system, asexamples.

[0054] Referring again to FIG. 3, the field in the business informationsystem, the “Qty” 302 in this example is highlighted. A bar code readeris pointed at the electronic bar coded “Qty” shown as 304 in the e-mailwindow, and inputs that data into the highlighted field 306 in thewindow running the business information system as the trigger on the barcode reader is squeezed.

[0055] If both Company A and B are using software on their PCs to createelectronic documents that contain video displayed bar coded information,such as Code 39, Code 128, EAN, or UPC, they can do two-way datainterchange without any sophisticated middleware. This system as it isdesigned is very flexible and allows any company, or person, with thissoftware and high scan rate LED bar code reader to capture, decode,store, use, and interchange data with any other company, or person,operating this software. This system is easy to use, easy to install,and inexpensive to own and operate.

[0056] Another embodiment of the present invention allows the user tosuccessively scan multiple bar codes identified with a field tag into asoftware application residing on the user's computer. In thisembodiment, the field tags would be identified using the “function keys”F1, F2, F3, etc., on standard computer keyboards. This inputs the cachedscanned data elements into the integrated software applicationone-at-a-time or as a group. The data tags are used as identificationfor inputting data into the correct fields in the integrated softwareapplications. The integrated software strips the data tag from the dataelement so only the relevant data is input into the appropriate field.

[0057] As an example, two companies might agree to exchange data forvarious customers contained in their respective databases: first name,last name, and age. Using the appropriate “function key” to identifyparticular data elements, the two companies would agree the “functionkey” for first name data is F1, the “function key” for last name data isF2, and the “function key” tag for age data is F3. The software would beprogrammable on-the-fly to tag data fields with the appropriate“function key”. The software would automatically tag the data elementsfrom the database with the appropriate “function key” tag. The followingchart is an example of this “function key” tagging. Tagged Data Element(tagged data element in (Data Field) bar code form = “Function ActualData “function key” + actual key” Tag Element data element) F1 (FirstName) JACK

F2 (Last Name) SMITH

F3 (Age) 45

[0058] This embodiment of the present invention greatly reduces thenumber of transaction errors and greatly increase the speed of datainterchange.

[0059] Data elements not identified by the same “function keys” could beused by multiple users, but this adds another step in the transactionprocess, and introduces the possibility of more input errors.

[0060] To illustrate another method of bar code data interchange, thepresent invention can use a variety of new standard e-mail interfacesand formats which include an expanded list of fields for data input, ofwhich some fields may be available for video displayed bar codes. Thisexpanded list of pre-defined data fields would allow easy transfer ofdata into integrated programs.

[0061]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the basic elements needed tosynchronize video displayed bar codes with AM or FM radio stationbroadcasts, or TV station broadcasts.

[0062] Item 400 is an AM or FM radio station, or TV station broadcastinga variety of programs, music, and commercials. Radio or TV stations 400have the ability to broadcast synchronized digital informationsimultaneously over logic trunked radio (LTR) 401, as an example. Thisdigital information is then continuously converted to a video displayedbar code during the duration of the relevant program, music, orcommercial by commonly available software. This video displayed bar codeis displayed on a radio display 402, a TV 403, or a separate displaymodule 404. As an example, during a commercial the video displayed barcode might represent a web address or phone number corresponding withthe advertisement being broadcast. A user would capture, decode, andstore video displayed bar coded data with a high scan rate LED bar codereader integrated into a cell phone, pager, key fob, etc., which may beused to dial a phone number, launch a web page, etc. now or at anydesired time.

[0063]FIG. 5 represents the basic elements required in the presentinvention as part of a universal, business-to-business, data interchangesystem using video displayed bar codes 100 and/or off screen media barcodes 101 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0064] Laptop computer 500, may also be a personal computer, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), etc. Laptop computer 500 is equipped with ahigh scan rate LED bar code reader 108 and the appropriate softwarecommonly used with non-video display reading bar code readers. Thissoftware may be used and only requires that the high scan rate LED barcode reader 108 be appropriately set up by initializing it with a videodisplayed bar code rather than a printed bar code.

[0065] Personal computer 530, may also be a laptop computer, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), etc. Personal computer 530 is equipped with ahigh scan rate LED bar code reader 108.

[0066] A high scan rate LED bar code reader 108, such as an IntermecScanPlus 1800 series CCD reader, is shown connected to laptop computer500 and another high scan rate LED bar code reader 108 is shownconnected to personal computer 530. The bar code readers 108 are shownhardwired to the respective computers, but may be connected wirelesslyvia radio or infrared. A high scan rate LED bar code scanner 102 asshown in FIG. 2, may also be integrated into a device 200 as shown inFIG. 2 which may then either take the place of one of the computers 500or 530 shown in FIG. 5 or operatively link thereto.

[0067] Laptop computer 500, is shown connected via a telephony network510 to a computer server 520, which can be either an e-mail or webserver. The telephony network 510 is shown as traditional, copper-based,hard-wire telephony medium, but also may be a combination offiber-optic, or radio based telephony medium. The computer server 520can be on the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), metropolitan areanetwork (MAN), or a local area network (LAN).

[0068] Computer server 520, either an e-mail or web server is shownconnected via a telephony network 510 to a personal computer 530.

[0069] Laptop computer 500 and personal computer 530 are loaded withsoftware that creates electronic bar coded documents, using readilyavailable, easy-to-use software such as, but not limited to, MICROSOFTWORD, MICROSOFT FRONTPAGE, MICROSOFT EXCEL, and ADOBE PAGEMILL, orcustomized integrated software applications. This greatly reduces, oreliminates the need for experienced programmers and expensivespecialized middleware. This software is designed to automaticallycreate bar coded data using either fonts (which may currently beinstalled or are included in some software applications) or graphics inelectronic or printed documents.

[0070] Laptop computer 500 and personal computer 530 are loaded withsoftware, such as any of the software previously mentioned, that createsan electronic bar coded document ready for transmission using an e-mailapplication such as, but not limited to, MICROSOFT OUTLOOK.

[0071] Since both laptop computer 500 and personal computer 530 areequipped with high scan rate LED bar code readers 108, and software thatcreates and transmits an electronic bar coded document, the system shownin FIG. 5 can capture, transmit, and interchange video displayed barcoded data across differing computer operating systems and/or softwareapplications at point of data transaction.

[0072] In another embodiment of FIG. 5, in a personal-to-businesstransaction, laptop computer 500 can be equipped with a TV card. As anexample, in a home shopping application, bar coded data is captured anddecoded directly from the television CRT using a high scan rate LED barcode reader 108. This information is directly interchanged over theInternet with a representative from the shopping show. The high scanrate LED bar code reader 108 is also used to scan credit cardinformation, and personal information from a driver's license to helpautomate this personal-to-business transaction.

[0073] The combination of access to the Internet, WANs, MANs, and LANswith video displayed bar codes will make it easy to develop centralizedconsumer and business applications that require variable informationnecessary to fill out forms, records, reports, etc. Some examples ofthese applications are as follows:

[0074] 1) An enhanced electronic ticket generation system for lawenforcement

[0075] 2) An enhanced electronic reporting and grading system for schoolsystems

[0076] 3) An enhanced electronic billing and passport system forresorts, hotels, etc.

[0077] 4) An enhanced electronic inventory system for insurance agenciesto interact with homeowners and businesses

[0078] 5) An enhanced electronic patient records and medicationdistribution system for hospitals, nursing homes, doctor's offices,dentists, etc.

[0079] 6) An enhanced electronic system for automotive repairs, service& warranty work

[0080] 7) An enhanced electronic shopping system to select merchandisefrom a printed catalog, wholesale or retail outlet, etc.

[0081] Having thus described a preferred embodiment and otherembodiments of a method and apparatus for bar code data interchange, itshould be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantagesof the present invention have been achieved. It should also beappreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternativesmay be made. It is of course not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components for purposes of describing the presentinvention. All such possible modifications are to be included within thespirit and scope of the present invention which is to be further definedby the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new bar code data interchange systemcomprising: a first video display; a bar code containing information,the bar code being displayed on the first video display; a first videodisplayed bar code reader; and a first host device operatively connectedto the bar code reader.
 2. The bar code data interchange system of claim1 wherein the first video displayed bar code reader includes a high scanrate LED scanner.
 3. The bar code data interchange system of claim 1further comprising a second host device operatively connected to thefirst host device.
 4. The bar code data interchange system of claim 3wherein the second host device is operatively connected to the firsthost device by a telephony network.
 5. The bar code data interchangesystem of claim 3 further comprising a second video displayed bar codereader operatively connected to the second host device.
 6. The bar codedata interchange system of claim 4 wherein the telephony network is theInternet.
 7. The bar code data interchange system of claim 1 wherein thebar code is displayed in a web page on the first video display.
 8. Thebar code data interchange system of claim 1 wherein the bar code isdisplayed in an e-mail document on the first video display.
 9. A newmethod of bar code data interchange, the method comprising: viewing abar code on a video display; scanning the bar code on the video display;converting the scanned bar code into data; and inputting the data into adesired location.
 10. The method of bar code data interchange of claim 9further comprising: creating a bar code; and sending the bar code to adesired recipient to be viewed by the desired recipient on the videodisplay.
 11. The method of bar code data interchange of claim 10 whereina first software program is used for creating the bar code.
 12. Themethod of bar code data interchange of claim 11 further comprising usingthe data in a second software application.
 13. The method of bar codedata interchange of claim 9 wherein a high scan rate LED scanner is usedfor scanning the bar code on the video display.
 14. The method of barcode data interchange of claim 9 wherein the video display is atelevision.
 15. The method of bar code data interchange of claim 9wherein the video display is a computer monitor.
 16. A method of usingvideo displayed bar code data, the method comprising: transmitting barcode data to a user; displaying the bar code data on a video displaycapable of being viewed by the user; scanning the bar code data from thevideo display; decoding the scanned bar code data into information; andusing the information for a desired purpose.
 17. The method of usingvideo displayed bar code data of claim 16 wherein a high scan rate LEDscanner is used for scanning the bar code data from the video display.18. The method of using video displayed bar code data of claim 16wherein the user is a customer.
 19. The method of using video displayedbar code data of claim 16 wherein a telephony network is used fortransmitting the bar code data to a user.
 20. The method of using videodisplayed bar code data of claim 16 wherein the bar code data isdisplayed in an e-mail message.